§ Mr. SEXTONasked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the case of William Sneyd, of 207, Robins Lane, Sutton, St. Helens, whose son, an ex-service man, is confined in Rainhill Asylum, near St. Helens, and for whom he has been paying maintenance of 5s. a week for a considerable period; and if, in view of the fact that Mr. Sneyd is bound in a very short time to retire on a pension of 5s. per week, after 50 years' service, he can see his way to refund some of the payments already made and remit future payment?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI understand that Mr. Sneyd's son is a rate-aided patient, and the guardians are empowered to recover from his relatives some payment towards the cost of the patient's maintenance. If the father wishes to have the position reconsidered, he should in the first instance approach the guardians. If he still disputes the assessment made by the guardians, it can only be enforced by an order of a Court of summary jurisdiction, who would hear him before making any order. The Minister of Health has no jurisdiction which would empower him to intervene in the matter.